4 months ago:
NASHVILLE, TN - JANUARY 23: Mike Fisher #12 of the Nashville Predators falls in front of Antoine Vermette #50 of the Columbus Blue Jackets at the Bridgestone Arena on January 23, 2012 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
The Nashville Predators did their part for the local dentist industry by winning both GooGoo Clusters and Frosties for the fans in attendance at Bridgestone Arena tonight, as they trounced the Columbus Blue Jackets 4-1. Mike Fisher led the way with two goals, while Martin Erat & Ryan Suter added two assists, and Pekka Rinne made 25 saves to push his record to 27-11-4.
Video highlights and post-game reaction from today's win after the jump:
Cue the video:
Courtesy of 102.5 The Game, we have a couple audio segments for you:
That was a nice, opportunistic pokecheck by Erat to set up the Fisher goal to get things started, Marty is on a roll these days. Jacob Underwood from 104.5 The Zone points out that Erat now has 65 points in his last 72 games.
Rick Nash's goal in the 2nd reminded me of Marian Hossa's two scores for Chicago on Saturday - when a big bull like that gets rolling, it's dang near impossible to stop.
Man, I wish I could have been in the arena tonight for GooGoo Mania, which broke out thanks to Mike Fisher's 2nd goal. Our long Nashville nightmare is over...
That 3rd goal for the Preds, by Halischuk, came off a nice bit of forechecking by him and Craig Smith. It was their hard work that caused a puck thrown carelessly up the boards, which Ryan Ellis was able to keep in and send towards the front of the net.
It's too bad the Predators are done with Columbus for the season. Not just due to the 5-0-1 record Nashville racked up against the BJ's this season, but Derek Dorsett deserves a thorough beatdown for the slew foot he gave Ryan Ellis late in the 3rd period. It was a bush-league move that's about as cheap as it gets in the NHL.
At least the Preds made Dorsett pay to a minor extent by scoring on the resulting power play. I loved the way Suter just laid a wrist shot in there in perfect position for Hornqvist to tip it home.
All in all, this was a fine effort in what could very easily have been a let-down game. Now it's off to Chicago to see if the Predators can head into the All-Star break ahead of the Blackhawks in the Central Division...
A 4-0 win at home with a GooGoo Goal and you win a slice of Hunt Brothers Pizza as the Lucky Row! I like Hunt Brothers Pizza, because they have pepperoni for the meat-eaters and cheese pizza for those who don’t eat meat but would still like diarrhea. (Okay, I stole that from Jim Gaffigan’s Hot Pockets bit.)
dchesnokov Dmitry Chesnokov
Useless comparison: Alexander Radulov leads the #KHL with 55 pts in 39 games. Evgeni Malkin leads the #NHL with 58 pts in 41 games.
That’s probably true… hasn’t he said something about coming back over here recently? It would be GREAT if he did. I doubt it, but it’d be great. I’m not in the group that hates his guts. If he’s willing to come back and score goals, then please do!! I’ll welcome him with open arms. A goal’s a goal’s a goal’s a goal.
If that’s the enticement for Suter to stay, and in the process not add a player of significance before the trade deadline, then say bye-bye to Suter. Sadly, I wouldn’t put it past Poiie to do just that.
Just some numbers I decided to look up really quick...
In the past month (16 games), we have…
> Gone 12-4-0.
> Two 3-game win streaks; one 5-game win streak.
> Scored 51 goals (average = 3.18).
> Allowed 38 goals (average = 2.37).
> Three 3-goal games (Avalanche, Islanders, Blue Jackets).
> Three 4-goal games (Avalanche, Flyers, Blue Jackets).
> Three 5-goal games (Flames, Hurricanes, Blackhawks).
So apparently we CAN score more than 3 goals per night!! This is very exciting.
We’re 9th in Goals For, 10th in Goals Against. We’d probably be stronger in the latter if it weren’t the rough start. This team is better than last year. Oh, and a #2 PP just behind Vancouver with the flying Sedins.
Now I know why the Jackets didn't fire their coach earlier........
Who in their right mind would want to coach that sad sack of a team?!?! What other team gets caught with to many men on the ice while on the PP?!?!?! I can’t remember the last time I’ve seen that.
How bad are the Jackets? 2-11-2 against their own division bad! Maybe the NHL should consider placing teams in a relegation pool to play their way back into the NHL. They stink!
We didn’t really have to kill ourselves for these 2pts, so we should have some energy for tomorrow nights game. And with both Toews and Sharp out of the Hawks lineup, this is a good chance to grab some points out of the Windy City.
And in other news, the Blues lose again in Detroit. Wings own them at home.
That was the Coyotes. But not on the PP, IIRC. It’s not like you have to change on the fly like on 5 on 5 play when you’re on the PP. It must drive a coach to madness.
Meh, I liked Arnott in as much as I knew the type of player he was before he came here. He could score, just isn’t a guy you want to depend on to be “the man”. He’s in a good spot with the Blues as a secondary type scorer.
Carolina scored a PPG against us the game before Colorado, too, but before that game… the last PPGs against us were when we played Columbus are McGrattan got that 5 minute major. They scored 4 in a row.
I’m as impressed with the recent performance as anyone out there. I love the hockey I’m seeing. But, at risk of sounding like Debbie Downer, the Preds’ schedule for February is murderers’ row… Vancouver (x2), St. Louis (x2), Detroit, Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia, Ottawa, San Jose, L.A., Dallas (who gives us fits)… and, well, Carolina to close it out. I think I’d be happy at 7-6 and delighted at 8-5 in February.
And March is only marginally better. A few middle-of-the pack teams, but 9 of 15 on the road and closing the month with @CHI, @STL, @DET, VS CHI.
Anyone else thinking about the sometimes-deceptive reverse math on points likely needed to make the playoffs in the West? 38 or 40 points in 33 games (for 100 or 102 as “last team in”) sounds quite doable, but when I look at the brutal schedule, I get nervous. One game at a time, right? fretfretfret
i’m glad we’re in the positioin that we are… the good thing about the schedule ahead of use are the games against st. louis, san jose, vancouver, and chicago those games are must win situations as they will help us out alot with the standings
I'm bringing Link's Honey Badger/Predobear picture in mini-poster form!
It’s an afternoon game, so it’ll be easy to get there early. I’m planning on going down to the glass for warm-ups, so you’ll have to keep an eye out for me!
Unless one of the current teams 8 thru 15 in our conference finds a way to put together a winning streak, I’m pretty comfortable with us getting a playoff spot. The current top 7 are starting to put some real seperation from the rest of the pack.
2) Why do we constantly let Weber shoo t? I say it every game, we just give Weber too much time and it comes back to bite us every time. DO NOT LET HIM SHOOT. We let Chara do the same thing.
response: Honestly, it’s not exactly fun to step in front of 100mph bullets…
3) 1/4 of Mike Fisher’s goals this year have come against Columbus. A QUARTER.
4) —Note to CAustin—: they make comments about TBL being interested in Steve Mason
5) At least Carolina won. Hopefully Oilers do the same.
(Sad to be rooting for wins for the other teams at the bottom of the conference. They’re going for #failfornail
That’s hilarious. Have you seen that poll on NHL.com? Which is the hardest division to play in, Central or Atlantic (or other)? C and A are basically tied, and I can’t figure out why. 10 points separate their 1st and 4th place teams. 5 points separate our 1st and 4th place teams.
Yeah, biggest markets have more voters. Plus, most EC fans have no real idea what the WC is like. They know Detroit, Chicago, and Vancouver. They think everyone else is Columbus.
I mulled around after the game. As I was walking to my car, a giant blondish person wearing a hockey face mask (pathetic disguise) grabbed my GooGooCluster and threw his weight in gummy bears upon me. I found a note in the gummy bears…..“I am so sorry. I just had to try one. I owe you one shut-out.” I figured out who the culprit is. No, I am not going to press charges. I like gummy bears. Predators marketing has been slow to get a gummy bear deal for Anders. Does Gummy Bear Inc. know he exists?
In December they passed out a bunch of coupons because the Preds hadn’t scored a Goo Goo goal and they were about to expire. It was the Red Wings game, I believe.
happy fans, rotten teeth
Love it!
I guess they won’t be doing the smile cam as much…
LuvthePreds - January 23, 2012
Throw in a XYience energy drink, too
I’m sure that doesn’t have much sugar in it. GooGoo + Frosty + XYience = Paula Deen.
Leeyore - January 24, 2012
just one goal short of a donut
Herzausstein - January 24, 2012
Imagine...
A 4-0 win at home with a GooGoo Goal and you win a slice of Hunt Brothers Pizza as the Lucky Row! I like Hunt Brothers Pizza, because they have pepperoni for the meat-eaters and cheese pizza for those who don’t eat meat but would still like diarrhea. (Okay, I stole that from Jim Gaffigan’s Hot Pockets bit.)
Leeyore - January 24, 2012
Hoooooooooootpockets
davisca - January 24, 2012
Not as good as your “By Mennen.” But you have a gift my friend. Don’t hide that in a bushel-basket.
Leeyore - January 24, 2012
Pekka is 17-2 in this winning stretch and hasn’t allowed over 2 goals since Jan. 5th
Creeping Death - January 23, 2012
That’s incredible
Stormyt - January 23, 2012
thats Pekktacular!
Creeping Death - January 23, 2012
its Rinneculus!
Stormyt - January 23, 2012
I love the way he Finnish's his saves
JBoogie22 - January 23, 2012
STOP IT STOP IT STOP IT!!!!
CAustin - January 23, 2012
But we’re talking about Pekka the Fintastic!
Stormyt - January 23, 2012
I’m just jealous because I can’t do puns.
CAustin - January 23, 2012
Aw, don’t be Blum.
davisca - January 23, 2012
Definition of a BOSS!
JBoogie22 - January 23, 2012
And don't forget...
In that 17-2 stretch for Pekka, a 1.64 GAA and .946 S% — or so I heard on post-game.
Leeyore - January 24, 2012
Pekka tomorrow?
Let’s keep it up Preds. Keep the goals coming. Let’s take it to the Hawks.
Josiah2729 - January 23, 2012 via Android app
i hope so
let him rest during the break :P
JBoogie22 - January 23, 2012
That’s sad.
CAustin - January 23, 2012
Sorry Yip
I’ll keep my Hustlechuk!
dnorm4 - January 23, 2012 via mobile
Yipee Ki Yay Hustlechucker!
JBoogie22 - January 23, 2012
HAHAHAHA
Well done!!
davisca - January 23, 2012
Very nice!
cisar - January 24, 2012
And Tampa will be happy to give—-oh. wait.
CAustin - January 23, 2012
We’ll loan them McGrattan.
Stormyt - January 23, 2012
Maybe Marty could punch him in the knee?
davisca - January 23, 2012
Let’s send Tonya Harding.
LuvthePreds - January 23, 2012
Har.
Steve Downie might try to kill him, but I fear for that boy. I really do.
CAustin - January 23, 2012
DonBorvio - January 23, 2012
Sigh
901predfan - January 23, 2012
I keep hoping… maybe… just maybe… one day…
davisca - January 23, 2012
I think it’s this summer or never.
DonBorvio - January 23, 2012
I agree.
LuvthePreds - January 23, 2012
I’ll take never for 200, Bob.
CAustin - January 23, 2012
That’s probably true… hasn’t he said something about coming back over here recently? It would be GREAT if he did. I doubt it, but it’d be great. I’m not in the group that hates his guts. If he’s willing to come back and score goals, then please do!! I’ll welcome him with open arms. A goal’s a goal’s a goal’s a goal.
davisca - January 23, 2012
maybe Poile knows something we don’t….and that’s why he hasn’t gotten anyone to entice Suter to stay…
JBoogie22 - January 23, 2012
If that’s the enticement for Suter to stay, and in the process not add a player of significance before the trade deadline, then say bye-bye to Suter. Sadly, I wouldn’t put it past Poiie to do just that.
Grizzledbear - January 24, 2012 via mobile
Just some numbers I decided to look up really quick...
In the past month (16 games), we have…
> Gone 12-4-0.
> Two 3-game win streaks; one 5-game win streak.
> Scored 51 goals (average = 3.18).
> Allowed 38 goals (average = 2.37).
> Three 3-goal games (Avalanche, Islanders, Blue Jackets).
> Three 4-goal games (Avalanche, Flyers, Blue Jackets).
> Three 5-goal games (Flames, Hurricanes, Blackhawks).
So apparently we CAN score more than 3 goals per night!! This is very exciting.
davisca - January 23, 2012
We’re 9th in Goals For, 10th in Goals Against. We’d probably be stronger in the latter if it weren’t the rough start. This team is better than last year. Oh, and a #2 PP just behind Vancouver with the flying Sedins.
DonBorvio - January 24, 2012
one down one to go
Lets show the hawks how to play a back-to-back series
Shadow23 - January 23, 2012 via iPhone app
Another town and one more show.
cisar - January 24, 2012
Insane that FL with 54 points is 3rd in their conf. ahead of PHI with 61. #divisionstandingsshouldntmatter
LuvthePreds - January 23, 2012
hashtag war!
#centralisthebest #notfair
JBoogie22 - January 23, 2012
#central:Pekka::southeast::Garon
LuvthePreds - January 23, 2012
#central-oneteamunder60pts #southeast-noteamwithmorethan54
LuvthePreds - January 23, 2012
#289pointsincentral #246insoutheast
LuvthePreds - January 23, 2012
#whatkindofwaristhis? #whiteflagalready?
LuvthePreds - January 23, 2012
#youwin
JBoogie22 - January 23, 2012
#yayme
LuvthePreds - January 23, 2012
You iz mean, you iz.
CAustin - January 23, 2012
Started to add #sorryCAustin
LuvthePreds - January 23, 2012
#southeastconferece #tearsonmypillow
CAustin - January 23, 2012
#maybenextyear
LuvthePreds - January 23, 2012
As bad as it is, Tampa might still have a shot…
Stormyt - January 23, 2012
Yeah, they should be in 8th place.
davisca - January 23, 2012
yeah its kinda funny like that
but they are winning their division which places them in the top 3
Herzausstein - January 23, 2012
HA! Describing Rick Nash's goal...
davisca - January 23, 2012
how incredibly accurate
Herzausstein - January 23, 2012
Holy crap, Jimmy Howard!
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/jimmy-howard-shows-blues-why-red-wings-don-033543766.html
CAustin - January 23, 2012
Damn. Don't screw with Jimbo.
davisca - January 23, 2012
Hmmmmm…. seems like he threw the blocker a number of times. That’s a big NO-NO. Should get some supplemental discipline for that.
cisar - January 24, 2012
Now I know why the Jackets didn't fire their coach earlier........
Who in their right mind would want to coach that sad sack of a team?!?! What other team gets caught with to many men on the ice while on the PP?!?!?! I can’t remember the last time I’ve seen that.
How bad are the Jackets? 2-11-2 against their own division bad! Maybe the NHL should consider placing teams in a relegation pool to play their way back into the NHL. They stink!
We didn’t really have to kill ourselves for these 2pts, so we should have some energy for tomorrow nights game. And with both Toews and Sharp out of the Hawks lineup, this is a good chance to grab some points out of the Windy City.
And in other news, the Blues lose again in Detroit. Wings own them at home.
Grizzledbear - January 23, 2012 via mobile
Some team had three #toomanymen penalties in a single game the other night. Can’t remember who it was, though…
LuvthePreds - January 23, 2012
That was the Coyotes. But not on the PP, IIRC. It’s not like you have to change on the fly like on 5 on 5 play when you’re on the PP. It must drive a coach to madness.
Grizzledbear - January 23, 2012 via mobile
This game.
davisca - January 23, 2012
And I should add........
Keep Halischuk in the lineup! 11 goals from a 4th liner……….I’ll take that!
Grizzledbear - January 23, 2012 via mobile
Who needs Arnott, right?
DonBorvio - January 23, 2012
Arnott always pissed me off. He never seemed to skate hard… ever.
davisca - January 23, 2012
Yep, and some games he wouldn’t play hard at all. Tits at least backchecks a bit even on his worst days.
DonBorvio - January 23, 2012
Meh, I liked Arnott in as much as I knew the type of player he was before he came here. He could score, just isn’t a guy you want to depend on to be “the man”. He’s in a good spot with the Blues as a secondary type scorer.
Grizzledbear - January 23, 2012 via mobile
Yeah, didn’t like him as the ‘C’, 2nd-3rd line role he’s ok (simply because of his scoring touch).
DonBorvio - January 23, 2012
The Wings own everybody at home.
shoot the puck - January 24, 2012
positive note for the blue jackets ...
it looks like lebda will fit in nicely there
Herzausstein - January 24, 2012
Ouch.
davisca - January 24, 2012
Yeah, he stinks like the rest of the team! :D
Grizzledbear - January 24, 2012 via mobile
I loved seeing him take a penalty.
I kept shouting "LEBDAAAAA! LEBDAAAAA!
Oh, the man we paid NOT to play…
Preds of State - January 24, 2012
does anyone know the last time someone scored a PP goal against us?
Herzausstein - January 24, 2012
In Colorado.
The 4-1 win – Ryan O’Reilly.
davisca - January 24, 2012
so we're having a good stretch then
Herzausstein - January 24, 2012
Yeah.
Carolina scored a PPG against us the game before Colorado, too, but before that game… the last PPGs against us were when we played Columbus are McGrattan got that 5 minute major. They scored 4 in a row.
davisca - January 24, 2012
i try to forget that moment
Herzausstein - January 24, 2012
God that was awful.
What an amazing game that turned out to be, though. I never would have expected it.
davisca - January 24, 2012
yeah i was torn between pulling my hair out and just laughing after those PP goals
it was both sad and rediculous ….that comeback was just epic
Herzausstein - January 24, 2012
I expected it!
Hehe.
cisar - January 24, 2012
36 of 38 (94.7%) since that game against Columbus on 12/23.
Leeyore - January 24, 2012
from the intro on the GDT at the Cannon
Steve Mason. Brett Lebda. Playing against a team that just shut us out last week and is hot as all get-out right now.
My advice to you… is to start drinking heavily.
(I feel bad for them. But not bad enough to want them to get the points.)
LuvthePreds - January 24, 2012
he didn't look that good tonight
Herzausstein - January 24, 2012
Mason? He doesn’t look good any night.
Patten - January 24, 2012
GooGoo promotion
Sorry I don’t know this, but when do you get the GooGoos? When a Pred scores 2 goals?
Lil cutie - January 24, 2012
I believe it's if they score a goal in the last 60 seconds of the second period.
davisca - January 24, 2012
correct
DonBorvio - January 24, 2012
February and March are going to be tough...
I’m as impressed with the recent performance as anyone out there. I love the hockey I’m seeing. But, at risk of sounding like Debbie Downer, the Preds’ schedule for February is murderers’ row… Vancouver (x2), St. Louis (x2), Detroit, Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia, Ottawa, San Jose, L.A., Dallas (who gives us fits)… and, well, Carolina to close it out. I think I’d be happy at 7-6 and delighted at 8-5 in February.
And March is only marginally better. A few middle-of-the pack teams, but 9 of 15 on the road and closing the month with @CHI, @STL, @DET, VS CHI.
Anyone else thinking about the sometimes-deceptive reverse math on points likely needed to make the playoffs in the West? 38 or 40 points in 33 games (for 100 or 102 as “last team in”) sounds quite doable, but when I look at the brutal schedule, I get nervous. One game at a time, right? fretfretfret
Leeyore - January 24, 2012
yeah i was looking at that
i’m glad we’re in the positioin that we are… the good thing about the schedule ahead of use are the games against st. louis, san jose, vancouver, and chicago those games are must win situations as they will help us out alot with the standings
Herzausstein - January 24, 2012
And these freakin' three-point games
…in the Western Conference are driving me crazy! I was so glad that DET-STL ended in regulation tonight.
Leeyore - January 24, 2012
I'm hoping that my presence at TD Garden will inspire the Preds to beat Boston.
davisca - January 24, 2012
Be loud and proud!
LuvthePreds - January 24, 2012
I'm bringing Link's Honey Badger/Predobear picture in mini-poster form!
It’s an afternoon game, so it’ll be easy to get there early. I’m planning on going down to the glass for warm-ups, so you’ll have to keep an eye out for me!
davisca - January 24, 2012
Awesome.
cisar - January 24, 2012
Unless one of the current teams 8 thru 15 in our conference finds a way to put together a winning streak, I’m pretty comfortable with us getting a playoff spot. The current top 7 are starting to put some real seperation from the rest of the pack.
Grizzledbear - January 24, 2012 via mobile
comments from their thread
1) Game prediction: Jackets 1, Preds 4.
Lebda is somehow a -5.
(Wow…spot on!)
2) Why do we constantly let Weber shoo t? I say it every game, we just give Weber too much time and it comes back to bite us every time. DO NOT LET HIM SHOOT. We let Chara do the same thing.
response: Honestly, it’s not exactly fun to step in front of 100mph bullets…
3) 1/4 of Mike Fisher’s goals this year have come against Columbus. A QUARTER.
4)
—Note to CAustin—: they make comments about TBL being interested in Steve Mason5) At least Carolina won. Hopefully Oilers do the same.
(Sad to be rooting for wins for the other teams at the bottom of the conference. They’re going for #failfornail
LuvthePreds - January 24, 2012
oops…didn’t mean to strike that out.
LuvthePreds - January 24, 2012
Lebda
Can you believe he finished even (+/- 0) AND had the second-most TOI of Columbus defensemen (after Tyutin)?!?
Leeyore - January 24, 2012
i can believe it for where he is...
i think just about anywhere else he would have the lowest amount of time on the ice
Herzausstein - January 24, 2012
A very valid point.
Leeyore - January 24, 2012
He wasn’t -something?!
davisca - January 24, 2012
Any team that has room for Aaron Johnson and Brett Lebda on their blueline is a team in dire straights.
Grizzledbear - January 24, 2012 via mobile
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAhahahahaha....!!1
Oh I needed that laugh. :D Steve Mason…. Might as well keep the total crap goaltenders they’ve got.
CAustin - January 24, 2012
Right now, we're 7th in the league!
Central has the #1, 4, 5, and 7 teams now.
DonBorvio - January 24, 2012
That’s hilarious. Have you seen that poll on NHL.com? Which is the hardest division to play in, Central or Atlantic (or other)? C and A are basically tied, and I can’t figure out why. 10 points separate their 1st and 4th place teams. 5 points separate our 1st and 4th place teams.
davisca - January 24, 2012
ECB. East Coast Bias.
Leeyore - January 24, 2012
Yeah, that’s what I figured. Still vaguely surprising though, just based on the amount of publicity the Central division has been getting this year.
davisca - January 24, 2012
Dosnt change the fact that you have all the voters for boston nyc and toronto too
Shadow23 - January 24, 2012 via iPhone app
Yeah, biggest markets have more voters. Plus, most EC fans have no real idea what the WC is like. They know Detroit, Chicago, and Vancouver. They think everyone else is Columbus.
CAustin - January 24, 2012
HAH. Also 7th in the league, 6th in the conference. Whaaaaat.
davisca - January 24, 2012
Really surprised by Anders tonight
I mulled around after the game. As I was walking to my car, a giant blondish person wearing a hockey face mask (pathetic disguise) grabbed my GooGooCluster and threw his weight in gummy bears upon me. I found a note in the gummy bears…..“I am so sorry. I just had to try one. I owe you one shut-out.” I figured out who the culprit is. No, I am not going to press charges. I like gummy bears. Predators marketing has been slow to get a gummy bear deal for Anders. Does Gummy Bear Inc. know he exists?
Bridgestoned - January 24, 2012
Gummy Bear Inc.
nice…
JBoogie22 - January 24, 2012
Ironic that Gummi is actually a Swedish company.
CAustin - January 24, 2012
Ironic or appropriate?
DonBorvio - January 24, 2012
FIRST GOO GOO GOAL IN PREDS HISTORY
I thought I’d never see this!
Preds of State - January 24, 2012
I want one!
davisca - January 24, 2012
Do you mean it's your first?
Because we have gotten one before.
predrock - January 24, 2012
When?
They passed out coupons that were about to expire once, but we’ve never scored a Goo Goo Goal before.
Predaceous - January 24, 2012
My coupon doesn't expire until 4/30/12
predrock - January 24, 2012
That was for yesterday
In December they passed out a bunch of coupons because the Preds hadn’t scored a Goo Goo goal and they were about to expire. It was the Red Wings game, I believe.
Predaceous - January 24, 2012
yes
Dec 15th to be exact.
Shadow23 - January 24, 2012 via iPhone app
No, this is the one I got in December
predrock - January 24, 2012
I wasn't there last night to get a coupon
predrock - January 24, 2012
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